HC Deb 08 April 1948 vol 449 cc348-9
58. Mr. Teeling

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he is aware that taxi drivers in Brighton have been informed by the police that according to new regulations they cannot travel a distance of further than five miles from Brighton; and whether he will have this instruction altered.

The Minister of Fuel and Power (Mr. Gaitskell)

There has evidently been some misunderstanding. I am informed that the taxi drivers concerned were referred to the provisions of the Motor Fuel (Car Hire) Order, 1948, which permits an unrestricted radius of operation of 20 miles from the place where the taxicab is ordinarily kept, or five miles outside the area in which the taxicab is authorised to ply for hire, whichever is the greater.

Mr. Teeling

Has the right hon. Gentleman taken steps to see that that matter has been put right in Brighton?

Mr. Gaitskell

This is a matter which will be touched upon in the statement I intend to make at the end of Questions.

63. Mr. Teeling

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power how many petrol coupons were returned by licensed taxi drivers in Hove at the end of the last ration period; and when that was.

Mr. Gaitskell

I regret that this information is not available.

Mr. Teeling

Would it not be possible to find out? There cannot be very much involved in this. There are only 40 taxi drivers in the area.

Mr. Gaitskell

We have information about the number of coupons returned by the taxi drivers for the whole region, but not for this area.